Guided Boat Tour to Medes Islands & Roca Foradada with Swim

The draw here is the coast seen from the water: a short boat trip carries you along the Montgrí shore toward the Medes Islands and the dramatic opening in the rock known as Roca Foradada. The route takes place in a protected marine area, where cliffs, coves and underwater habitats are part of the view.

I like two things about this outing: the compact 90-minute format makes it easy to fit into a Costa Brava day, and the swim stop gives you a chance to get into the sea rather than just admire it from the boat. At $28 per person, it is a modestly priced way to see this stretch of coast from a different angle.

The main consideration is that the swim can be short, around 10 to 15 minutes on some trips, and the guide’s commentary may be hard to hear over the boat. Book it for scenery and a refreshing swim, not for a long snorkel session or an in-depth nature talk.

• A coastal route through Montgrí Natural Park: The boat travels in protected waters along a rugged stretch of the Costa Brava.
• The Medes Islands and Roca Foradada: The islands and their marine reserve are central to the trip, with the route continuing toward a striking rock formation.
• A swim stop, not a long beach break: Plan for a quick dip. The exact swimming time and location may vary.
• A short outing from Medaqua: The trip lasts about 1.5 hours, including the boat ride and swim stop.
• Four guide languages: English, Spanish, French and Catalan are offered, though hearing the guide can be difficult when the boat is noisy.
• Basic safety gear included: A skipper and life jacket are included. Do not assume that a mask or snorkel is supplied.

Set out from Medaqua for a short sea trip

The tour starts at Medaqua, then includes a five-minute walk before the boat portion. The supplied details do not spell out exactly where that walk fits into the boarding process, so follow the meeting instructions carefully and arrive with enough time to find the group. One person who missed the departure after going to the wrong boat had no suitable alternative date, a costly reminder to check the meeting point rather than rely on a quick glance at an app.

Once aboard, the skipper takes you along the Montgrí coast. The trip is short enough to suit a half-day plan, and at 90 minutes it will not swallow the afternoon. That brevity is also a limit: you are getting a quick scenic introduction, not a slow coastal cruise with hours to linger.

The boat ride is the main event. You pass cliffs and rocky formations, with coves tucked into the shore and the open sea around the Medes Islands ahead. The coast is part of Montgrí Natural Park, a protected area valued for both its scenery and its marine life. Seeing it from sea level helps you appreciate the height of the cliffs and the shape of the inlets in a way that a road or viewpoint cannot.

The listed itinerary describes photo stops, a guided visit and scenic views, but does not promise a landing or a walk on the islands. Treat this as a boat excursion around the island area, not an island-hopping trip on foot. If setting foot on the islands is important to you, confirm what the current route allows before booking.

The Medes Islands and their protected waters

The Medes Islands sit at the heart of this outing. Their surrounding waters are a protected marine reserve, a sanctuary for marine plants and animals. The protection matters to you as a visitor because it helps preserve the underwater environment that gives this coast its special character.

From the boat, look for the contrast between the rocky island forms and the mainland cliffs. The tour description calls attention to the reserve’s underwater life, including colorful fish and marine plants. But the experience is not the same as a glass-bottom boat ride: you are looking from the surface unless you get into the water, and visibility depends on conditions.

There is an important distinction between the advertised island route and the swim itself. The boat heads through the Medes Islands area and continues toward Roca Foradada, but at least one trip placed the swim along the coast rather than beside the islands. The swim location can therefore matter if your main goal is to snorkel among the reserve’s marine life. Ask Medaqua where the swim is expected to take place on your date, and do not assume you will be allowed to swim directly around the islands.

The trip includes a live guide in English, Spanish, French or Catalan. The guide is meant to add context to the scenery, but the amount of information may vary. Some passengers have found the guide friendly, while others wanted more explanation about the islands, their lighthouse, and local flora and fauna. Boat noise can also make commentary difficult to hear, especially without a microphone.

If learning about the reserve is a priority, sit where you can hear the guide and ask questions when the boat is stopped or the engine is quieter. Still, book with realistic expectations: the outing combines a guided ride and a swim, but it may not deliver a detailed natural-history lesson.

Roca Foradada and the Montgrí cliffs

Roca Foradada is the route’s scenic destination, a dramatic rock formation whose name refers to its opening. It gives the boat trip a clear focal point beyond simply cruising along the shore. The surrounding cliffs and coves make the journey feel varied, even within a relatively brief excursion.

From the sea, the coast’s rocky edges look especially imposing. The coves are described as hidden among formations, which means the boat offers a way to glimpse small pockets of shoreline that are less obvious from land. You can take photographs along the route, but keep your camera secure and be prepared for movement on the boat.

The trip is also a useful choice if you want a taste of the Costa Brava without committing to a longer cruise. The scenery arrives quickly, the route has a named destination, and the swim adds a break from sitting on board. On the other hand, you should not expect a long stop at Roca Foradada or a chance to explore it on foot. The experience is designed around sailing past the coast and viewing it from the water.

The swim stop: refreshing, but often brief

The stop for swimming is a welcome part of the trip. You can leave the boat and get into the sea, with the chance to see fish and marine plants if conditions and visibility cooperate. It makes this more active than a sightseeing cruise, though it remains a short swim rather than a dedicated snorkeling outing.

Plan on about 10 to 15 minutes in the water, based on the timing reported on some departures. That can be enough for a quick cool-off, but it may feel rushed if you are hoping to swim at length or carefully explore the seabed. Families with children should pay particular attention to the time limit and safety arrangements.

A life jacket is listed as included, but availability has not always met expectations. One family reported that a child could not swim because a jacket was not available. If someone in your party needs a life jacket to enter the water, confirm with Medaqua before setting out and do not assume that a particular size will be ready. The supplied information does not list masks or snorkels as included, although some trips have offered them. Ask before you count on borrowing equipment.

Bring swimwear under your clothes if you want to use the stop without changing on the boat. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. The tour details also mention a tapas menu at a nearby restaurant as not included, so consider that a separate option rather than part of the boat experience.

What $28 buys you

At $28 per person, this is a reasonably priced short excursion if your priorities are sea views, a guided boat ride and a chance to swim. The fee includes the boat, skipper, official guide and life jacket. For a 90-minute activity, the price is easiest to justify when you value the coastal scenery and the convenience of having someone else handle the route.

The value is less certain if you are booking primarily for detailed commentary or an extended snorkeling session. The guide may be friendly but not especially informative, and engine noise can make it harder to hear. The swim may also be limited to a brief stop, and the swimming spot may not be in the exact part of the marine reserve you imagined.

This is not an all-day marine excursion with food, transfers or extensive time in the water. It is a compact outing that gives you a view of the coast from the sea. If you compare it with longer or glass-bottom boat trips, check what each option includes rather than judging by price alone. This tour does not advertise a glass bottom, so do not book it expecting to watch underwater life through the hull.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later offer some flexibility. Starting times depend on availability. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but because it includes a short walk and boarding a boat, contact the operator if you need specific access arrangements.

Who will enjoy this boat ride most

I would consider this tour for couples, families and solo visitors who want a manageable outing on the water without taking up most of the day. It suits you if you like coastal scenery, are happy with a quick swim and do not need a long lecture to enjoy a boat trip.

It can also work well as a family activity, provided the children are comfortable around boats and you have confirmed the life-jacket arrangements they need. The swim stop is a bonus, but it is not a substitute for a beach afternoon. Keep expectations clear with children: there may be only a short time in the water.

You may want another option if your top priority is a detailed account of Medes Islands ecology, a long snorkeling session, guaranteed swimming beside the islands, or seeing underwater life without getting in the water. This trip does not promise any of those things. It does offer a guided route, a skipper, a protected coastal setting and a chance to swim.

Should you book the Medes Islands boat tour?

Book it if you want a fairly affordable, 90-minute look at the Montgrí coast from the water, with Roca Foradada, the Medes Islands and a short swim stop. The strongest reasons to go are the coastal views, the convenient duration and the chance to cool off in the sea.

Think twice if you expect a full snorkeling excursion or a detailed guided explanation. Before booking, confirm the meeting point, ask where the swim is likely to happen, and check that the life-jacket arrangements suit everyone in your group. With those points clear, this is a straightforward way to add a little sea time to a Costa Brava visit.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour?

The activity lasts about 1.5 hours, including the boat trip and swim stop.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Medaqua and includes a five-minute walk before the boat portion.

Which languages can the guide speak?

The live guide is available in English, Spanish, French and Catalan.

Is a swim included?

Yes. The tour includes a stop for swimming, though the stop can be brief. Some departures have allowed about 10 to 15 minutes in the water.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat ride, skipper, official guide and life jacket. Food and drinks, hotel pickup and drop-off, and the nearby restaurant’s tapas menu are not included.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.